{"id":300340,"date":"2023-12-17T22:09:01","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T22:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=300340"},"modified":"2023-12-17T22:09:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-17T22:09:01","slug":"saudi-arabia-becoming-big-fights-home-but-vegas-remains-boxings-holy-grail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/boxing\/saudi-arabia-becoming-big-fights-home-but-vegas-remains-boxings-holy-grail\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Saudi Arabia becoming big fights’ home \u2013 but Vegas remains boxing’s Holy Grail’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Offbeat news from the world of sport<\/p>\n

    Offbeat news from the world of sport<\/p>\n

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    This week one of the most impressive cards in the sport heads to Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n

    If anyone has been living under a rock and underestimates the financial power of the Middle Eastern state then they just need to look at the names and numbers involved. Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are not here in Riyadh for anything less than eight figures as they face Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker respectively.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s a clear play at becoming the major power in boxing as much as it will be claimed as sportswashing with Tyson Fury against Oleksandr Usyk to come in February. It has left the fight capital of the world looking on but Las Vegas is not concerned. <\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Sunny Edwards told he 'quit like a dog' by Curtis Woodhouse after boxer breaks eye socket<\/b><\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Inside Tyson Fury's epic private jet \u2013 huge bed, plush sofas and en-suite shower<\/b><\/p>\n

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    Sky Sports is bringing you 500 live football games to watch, as well access to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA and more across eight<\/span> dedicated channels. Sky Sports is the <\/span>only way to watch all the action this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a322 a month<\/p>\n

    \u201cSaudi Arabia being on the other side of the world from Las Vegas just allows the sport to grow,\u201d said Steve Hill from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. <\/p>\n

    \u201cI hope Saudi believes that is the same. Having a race in Las Vegas helps the sport grow and in boxing I hope that is what happens with the interest in Saudi.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe are going to be able to sell out boxing events in Las Vegas for a long, long time. Hopefully that just helps grow the sport. I think we will continue to be the capital of the boxing universe, we have for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Where do you best like fights being held? Let us know in the comments section. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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    But there\u2019s real competition now. Of course, big fights have gone to New York and London and others in the past. Those cities had to rely on gate receipts and PPV revenue to make them profitable.<\/p>\n

    Vegas has been a city which had the added financial muscle of the casinos who, would put up big sums to get the big fights so the gamblers would flock to the Strip.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe\u2019re still getting the big fights,\u201d said one hotel source. \u201cWe\u2019ve had massive events like Terence Crawford against Errol Spence Jnr, Canelo Alvarez. But we\u2019d be lying if we didn\u2019t think the money from Saudi is a concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    The landscape has also changed in America. Gambling is now legal in many states and moved online having previously been heavily restricted in most parts outside of Nevada.<\/p>\n

    But gone are the days when boxing, college sports and lower-level pro sports were the only opportunities to see sporting action on the Strip. <\/p>\n

    Now there\u2019s a Stanley Cup-winning ice-hockey side in the Golden Knights while they\u2019ve brought the Raiders from Oakland to play at the stunning Allegiant Stadium.<\/p>\n

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    There\u2019s plans to bring the Oakland As – of Moneyball fame – to a new baseball stadium on the site of the famous Tropicana hotel while there is expected to be an NBA franchise in the future.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHaving those professional teams here matters a lot to the city,\u201d said Hill. "From the event standpoint but also our brand.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Then there was the recent return of Formula 1 to Sin City. An event which started badly with a host of issues but ended up being one of the most exciting races of the season.<\/p>\n

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    It\u2019s predicted that could be worth an $1.25bn to the city economically. That\u2019s where Vegas has a lead on Saudi. <\/p>\n

    Many western travellers are wary of going to the Middle Eastern state because of its laws on alcohol and human rights issues amongst other things despite the influx of some huge football names, music superstars and more.<\/p>\n

    Las Vegas remains a bucket-list destination for many, even if it is far from a perfect city, that can get the tills ringing like few others. \u201cAnything you want to do to have fun, you can find in Vegas,\u201d added Hill. <\/p>\n

    It\u2019s a city that couldn\u2019t be further from Saudi Arabia culture. But now both are major players in boxing. And it will be interesting to see if they can both thrive.<\/p>\n